Everyday guy turns millionaire

WHITEVILLE, NC (WWAY) — One man is $1 million richer from a Powerball ticket he bought at a store in Whiteville. Dreams really do come true, and the community says it couldn’t have happened to a better guy.

“Everybody here is just happy that it was him,” said Donna Lennon, the manager of the store where the ticket was purchased.

Lennon says lottery winner Russell Menser is a regular at the Time Saver in New Hope and when she found out he won she was thrilled.

“We’re lucky that a regular customer of ours is the one who won the lottery ticket,” Lennon said. “We’re real excited about it. He’s a real nice, down to earth person.”

Cashier Kayla Carmichael says the Time Saver is officially a lucky spot and more people have been coming in to buy lottery tickets since Menser won on February 26.

“We’ve had a lot of more people coming in buying tickets,” Carmichael said. “Think our lottery sales has increased. I reckon everybody want a piece of that money.”

Cassandra Myers says she thinks this win proves that winning the lottery is possible and she already has plans for her dream jackpot.

“I’d give my church, which is Great Grace Church, part of the money and then the rest, I’d pay off my Mama’s house and get my own house,” Myers said. “Get my house paid for.”

Store owner Jimmy Garrell says Menser isn’t the only winner.

“We really think that this will be really beneficial for our stores, our customers, and the state and education,” Garrell said.

Menser’s two-dollar Powerball ticket matched all five white balls, which automatically won him the $1 million prize. After taxes, he will take home close to $700,000.